Dad (or Mom) Is at War and the Family Bears the Burden

"And it disrupts the cohesion of the family," he said. "Like when a parent goes on a business trip -- they have to fight their way back into the family."

The clinic is now treating veterans who have served not just in Afghanistan and Iraq, but in Vietnam and even in World War II.

About half of the patients seen are post-9/11 returning veterans, according to psychiatrist Dr. Dara Cho.

"Half are not deployed or served in another era," Cho said. "There are a lot of military spouses calling and seeking individual or couples treatment."

As for Camacho, she juggles raising her children with working as a health care investigator for foster children, but has seen a glimmer of progress after the first few weeks of treatment at the NYU clinic.

"I just want to reduce my anxiety to help my kids when they are feeling sad or angry," she said. "How should I answer them when they ask about Dad?

"I just want them to feel more comfortable and at ease," said Camacho. "I don't want the kids to feel what I am feeling."